Gardening and Farming May Improve Mental Health, Self-Worth: Study

Green social prescribing programs that connect people with nature activities reduce anxiety and increase happiness comparable to other therapies.

By l i g h t p o e t/Shutterstock

People seeking a mental health boost might just find the answer in the great outdoors.

New research shows that when doctors “prescribe” nature-based activities, such as gardening and farming, patients experience significant reductions in anxiety and depression while reporting substantial increases in overall happiness.